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Melvin Anderson

Posted 3/14/12 (Wed)

Funeral services for Melvin B. Anderson, 88, of Watford City are at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City with Pastor Rob Favorite officiating. Interment will be in the Shafer Cemetery, Watford City, ND under the care of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Watford City. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www. fulkersons.com
Melvin was born on Nov. 26, 1923, in Keene, N.D., the son of Anton and Thea (Berget) Anderson. He grew up in the Watford City area attending country schools and graduated from Watford City High School in 1941. After graduation, Melvin attended Minot State College until he went in to the United States Army in 1943. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to college at Minot State. In 1948, Melvin graduated from Minot State with his degree. He taught school for one year in Antler and Pleasant Valley country school. In 1950, Melvin started working for McKenzie County Electric as a bookkeeper. He was united in marriage to Ellen Astrup on Aug. 23, 1952, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, N.D. They made their home in Watford City, N.D., where they raised their family. After the marriage, Melvin continued working for McKenzie County Electric where he worked his way up to Assistant Manager, and in 1989, after 39 years, he retired. While he was working for McKenzie County Electric he also farmed his mother’s farm. His wife, Ellen, died unexpectedly in April of 2005 and Melvin continued living in Watford City.
Melvin was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Watford City and was their treasurer for 25 years. He was on the McKenzie County Hospital Board, the Good Shepherd Home Board and the board at McKenzie Credit Union. He enjoyed watching the Vikings, Twins and the Bison, but his favorite team was the Watford City Wolves. He and Ellen were married for over 52 years and they enjoyed going for walks together every day. He liked to keep current by reading area newspapers. Melvin never complained about anything or anybody and his Christian faith was very important to him.
Melvin died on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at the McKenzie County Medical Center.
He is survived by his three sons, Brian Anderson, Watford City, N.D., Mark (Julie) Anderson, Fargo, N.D., and Paul Anderson, Denver, N.C.; his daughter, Jane (Mark) Dale, Savage, Minn.; his three grandchildren, Zachary Anderson, Abigail Anderson and Andrew Dale; his brother, Gerald (Jackie) Anderson, Weatherford, Texas; his three sisters, Phyllis Ufer, Tacoma, Wash., Lucille Helseth, Minneapolis, Minn., and Alice Olsen, Willmar, Minn.; his brother-in-law, Leo Astrup, Fort Worth, Texas; his sisters-in-law, Inga (Bob) McAdams, Puyallup, Wash., and Lillie Tryggested, Viroqua, Wis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ellen; his sister, Margaret Rice; his brothers-in-law, Carl Ufer, Lloyd Helseth, Ludvig Olsen, John Rice and LeRoy Tryggested.